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Join us online at noon on Saturday, Nov. 14, to hear from our guest speaker and to recognize the winners of the 2020 RTNDAC Awards Competition.

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2021 RTDNAC Awards Competition

Finalists for the 2021 RTDNAC awards competition are listed below in alphabetical order by station or school name, followed by the entry title.

Send corrections to the information below to rtdnac@rtdnac.org by 5 p.m. Oct. 7.

Due to COVID-19, there will be no in-person awards luncheon this year. Winners will be announced online Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021.

TV I

Best Newscast
– WBTV – WBTV News at 11:00 – Molly Grantham, Maggie Contreras, Alex Giles, Ron Lee, Courtney Cole
– WNCN CBS 17 – Deputy Shot

Breaking News
– WSOC-TV – Protests at Rock Hill PD Turns Fiery – Joe Bruno, Devan Killingsworth-Wells, Dashawn Brown, Devan Mello, JP League
– WYFF 4 – Deputy Jumper’s Death

Community Impact
– ABC11 WTVD – The Silent Pandemic – Jonah Kaplan, Derek Rowles, Chris Hart, Jeff Janca
– WSOC-TV – Joe Bruno the Vaccine Hunter – Joe Bruno, Liz Bruno

Consumer/Economic
– WBTV – Essential Housing – Jamie Boll, Jess Dyer, Kevin Marlow
– WBTV – Utility Underwhelming – David Hodges

Education
– WYFF 4 – Going the Extra Mile – Allen Devlin, Kevin Moran
– WYFF 4 – Prosper Hall – Gabrielle Komorowski, Chip Baysden, Matt Moore

Entertainment
– WBTV – Goodbye Manor – Jordan Sawyers
– WBTV – The Heartbeat of Ludwig Drums – Brian Stephenson

General News
– WNCN CBS 17 – CBS 17 General News – Amy Cutler, Crystal Price, Matt Morrison
– WSOC-TV – The Pricey Parcel – Joe Bruno, Joey Williams

General News by Multimedia Journalist
– WLOS – Oh, He Loves This – Chris Womack
– WRAL-TV – Deaths in North Carolina Increased by 17% in 2020 – Ali Ingersoll

Hard News Feature
– WBTV – A Mission on a Mission – Gregory Simpson
– WYFF 4 – Country Santa Gets Slammed – Michael Cogdill, Chip Baysden

Health-Medicine
– Spectrum News 1 North Carolina – “Chemo to Kindness Challenge” Takes Off on Social Media – Patrick Thomas
– WRAL-TV – Death Records Show COVID Singular Cause – Ali Ingersoll, Ashley Talley

Investigative
– WNCN CBS 17 – CBS 17 Investigates – Amy Cutler, Matt Morrison
– WSOC-TV – Diet Tea Dangers – Allison Latos, Mike Stolp, Andy Nagele, Kim Holt

Light Feature
– WBTV – Farm to Front Porch: Pumpkin Production in North Carolina – Kristi O’Connor
– WYFF 4 – Santa at Unicorn Farm – Gabrielle Komorowski, Chip Baysden

Long-Form Interview
– ABC11 WTVD – Dr. Birx: “Please Wear a Mask” – Jonah Kaplan
– WRAL-TV – On the Record: Fake News in a Post-Trump Presidency

News Special
– WRAL-TV – The Skin We’re In
– WSOC-TV – Talking About Race: A Conversation with Five Black Men – Ken Lemon, Kim Holt, Andy Nagele, Bridget Russo, Anthony Sotelo

News Website
– Spectrum News 1 North Carolina
– WGHP-TV – MyFOX8.com

Original Digital Video
– WBTV – WBTV News Now Desk: Rock Hill Arrests Extended Coverage – Chandler Morgan, Matthew Chandler, Morgan Newell, Abby Theodros, Sharonne Hayes

Original Web Reporting
– Spectrum News 1 North Carolina – A Year of COVID: North Carolina in the Global Pandemic – Charles Duncan

Outstanding News Operation
– WBTV
– WGHP-TV

Photography
– Spectrum News 1 North Carolina – Front Porch Politics: Long Leaf Pine – John Stampf
– WYFF 4 – Turtle Sanctuary – Chip Baysden

Podcast (Long)
– Spectrum News 1 North Carolina – Tying It Together with Tim Boyum: The Saga of Sylva Sam – Tim Boyum
– WGHP-TV – A Country Store Killing – Michael Hennessey, Chris Weaver, Kevin Daniels

Podcast (Short)
– WGHP-TV – Who Killed Grandma Nancy? Episode 2: A Family Crisis – Katie Nordeen, Chris Weaver, Kevin Daniels

Political/Election
– Spectrum News 1 North Carolina – Camping Lawmaker – Tim Boyum, John Stampf
– Spectrum News 1 North Carolina – Transylvania Commissioners – Tim Boyum, John Stampf

Series
– Spectrum News 1 North Carolina – The Little Things Matter – Jessie Holmes, Courtney Wallen, Estephany Escobar, Christy Bollinger, Alexis Bell
– WGHP-TV – Forgotten Souls of North Carolina’s Black Cemeteries – Rasheeda Kabba, Nelson Kepley
– WNCN CBS 17 – CBS 17 Series – Crystal Price

Social Reform
– WGHP-TV – In Black and White – Tracy Clemons, Ryan Terhune, Jeff Kilduff
– WRAL-TV – The Talk – Julian Grace

Special Report
– Spectrum News 1 North Carolina – Jan. 6 Capitol Riot
– WBTV – Watauga County Funeral Special – Maria Delgado, Jess Dyer, Lee Roberts, Ray Faulkenberry
– WRAL-TV – Forward Together: Policing & Equality Roundtable

Sports Reporting
– WTVI PBS Charlotte – The Last Rodeo – Doug Stacker, Suzette Rhee
– WYFF 4 – Erskine Football – Marc Whiteman, Chip Baysden

Sports Special
– WGHP-TV – Coca-Cola 600: Tribute & Tradition – Kevin Connolly, Danny Harnden, Clara Goodwin, Chris Weaver, Timmy Hawks
– WRAL-TV – No April Fools Joke: Roy Williams Retires from UNC

Use of Social Media
– WBTV – WBTV News Now: Snake Season in the Carolinas – Chandler Morgan, Matthew Chandler, Andrew Barnett
– WIS-TV – Laurel Mallory, Nick Richter, Jazmine Greene, Connor Lomis

Use of Technology
– Spectrum News 1 North Carolina – Front Porch Thieves – Vanessa Leon
– WIS-TV – Embracing Change – Joe Gorchow

TV II

Best Newscast
– WCIV – A Mother’s Plea – Collin Masters, Dean Stephens, Tessa Spencer, Cathy Hobbs, Matt Dreyer
– WPDE ABC15 – Good Morning Carolinas – Back to School

Breaking News
– WECT – Carolina Beach Condo Fire – Kendall McGee, Zach Solon, Jon Evans, Ryan Koresko
– WWAY News – EF3 Tornado Hits Brunswick County – Kevin Dumas, Donna Gregory, Jeff Rivenbark, Ramel Carpenter, Wills Maxwell Jr.

Community Impact
– WCIV – Miracle Mold – Anne Emerson, Jason Tighe, Cathy Hobbs
– WPDE ABC15 – Unsung Heroes Series – Liz Cooper

Consumer/Economic
– WECT – WECT Investigates: Private Elevator Accidents – Ann McAdams, Mike Pelzer, Ryan Koresko
– WPDE ABC15 – mikeroweWORKS – Nicholas Papantonis, Brennan McDavid

Education
– WCSC – Thousands in South Carolina Wait for Broadband Internet Access – Michal Higdon
– WMBF – Educational Barriers for Special Needs Students – Madison Martin
– WWAY News – Teacher of the Week: Tim McAuliffe/Madeira Billingsley – Jeff Rivenbark, Kevin Dumas

Entertainment
– WNCT – Honoring Black History Through Art – Madison Forsey, Kenneth Roundtree
– WPDE ABC15 – Man in the Marsh – Nicholas Papantonis

General News
– WECT – State Trooper Shot Seven Times. A Story of Survival. – Frances Weller, Ryan Koresko
– WPDE ABC15 – Chef. Shepherd. Servant. – Nicholas Papantonis

General News by Multimedia Journalist
– WPDE ABC15 – Big Flocking Uproar – Nicholas Papantonis
– WPDE ABC15 – License to Work – Simon Williams

Hard News Feature
– WECT – Antonio Moore Death Anniversary – Jon Evans, Ryan Koresko
– WITN – Burn Survivor Returns Home – Nikki Hauser

Health-Medicine
No Finalists

Investigative
– WECT – Cover Up Culture – Ann McAdams, Emily Featherston, Ryan Koresko, Mike Pelzer
– WECT – WECT Investigation Results in Arrest in Child Homicide – Ann McAdams, Ryan Koresko

Light Feature
– WECT – Unsung Heroes: Rings Found in Landfill – Bill Murray
– WPDE ABC15 – Woven Friendship – Nicholas Papantonis

Long-Form Interview
– CN2 News – Giving Back During COVID – Laurabree Monday

News Special
– WCIV – The Good in Us – Dean Stephens, Daniel Michener, Karlee Gibson
– WITN – Hometown Healing

News Website
– WCBD – Counton2.com – Timothy Renaud, Chase Laudenslager
– WMBF – wmbfnews.com

Original Digital Video
– WECT – The Bottle Chapel & the Legacy of Minnie Evans – Kristin Crawford
– WNCT – Behind the Scenes at Big Rock – Kelci O’Donnell

Original Web Reporting
No Entries

Outstanding News Operation
– WCIV – Cathy Hobbs
– WCSC

Photography
– WCIV – Calm in the Chaos – Dean Stephens, Daniel Michener
– WMBF – Adaptive Surf Paddleboarding Edition – George Hansen

Podcast (Long)
– WMBF – Carolina True Crime
– WNCT – What The Politics?! – Emily Cervarich, Victoria Holmes

Podcast (Short)
– WCBD – Let’s Talk – Carolyn Murray, David Dickson, Eric Johnson
– WNCT – The State of Sports … The Future After COVID – Emily Cervarich, Bernie Ritter

Political/Election
– WCSC – Campaign 2020: Election Day

Series
– WMBF – Forging Ahead – Madison Martin, Kristin Nelson, Matt Stanley
– WMBF – This is Carolina – Meredith Helline, George Hansen

Social Reform
– WCSC – Local Law Enforcement Using Military-Grade Equipement – Michal Higdon
– WECT – Racist Letter Brings Neighborhood Together – Ann McAdams, Ryan Koresko

Special Report
– WCSC – Special Report: Sutherland Death Investigation – Chaunte’ Turner, Bill Sharpe, Kaitlin Stansell, Raphael James
– WPDE ABC15 – Moment of Hope – Liz Cooper

Sports Reporting
– WECT – Playing It Safe: Youth Sports in the Pandemic – Bob Bonner
– WMBF – Breaking Records, Saving Lives: The Story of CCU’s Meli – Gabriel McDonald

Sports Special
No Entries

Use of Social Media
– WECT – Carolina Beach Condo Fire
– WPDE ABC15

Use of Technology
No Entries

Radio

Breaking News
– North Carolina Public Radio WUNC – Last Day of Early Voting in Alamance County – Rusty Jacobs
– WHQR – Officials Confirm Fatalities After Tornado Strike – Ben Schachtman, Ken Campbell

Community Impact
– Blue Ridge Public Radio – COVID in Appalachia
– WHQR – Jeremy Owens – Rachel Keith

Consumer/Economic
– WHQR – City Officials & Staff Clash Over a Car Wash – Kelly Kenoyer
– WHQR – Townhomes Are Making a Comeback … That’s a Good Thing – Kelly Kenoyer

Education
– WHQR – Community Groups Clash at Board of Ed Meeting – Rachel Keith
– WHQR – Teachers Worry About Returning to Classroom – Rachel Keith

Entertainment
– Blue Ridge Public Radio – AVL Fringe Festival Must Go Online Due to COVID
– South Carolina Public Radio – Charlestonian’s KISS Collection Donated to Library – Tut Underwood

General News
– South Carolina Public Radio – Are Female Cops the Answer We’re Looking For? – Scott Morgan
– WHQR – UNCW Settles Lawsuit; Diversity Still a Challenge – Ben Schachtman

Hard News Feature
– South Carolina Public Radio – A Community Effort to Pay the Bills in Greenville – Scott Morgan
– South Carolina Public Radio – Lowcountry Principal Shines in the National Spotlight – Victoria Hansen

Health-Medicine
– North Carolina Public Radio WUNC – Vaccine Barriers for Latinos – Jason deBruyn, Elizabeth Baier
– South Carolina Public Radio – Researcher Finds Possible COVID Warning in Sewage – Tut Underwood
– South Carolina Public Radio – Seniors Struggle to Get Vaccination Appointments – Victoria Hansen

Investigative
– North Carolina Public Radio WUNC – DeJoy Fundraising – Jason deBruyn, Rusty Jacobs, Amy Jeffries

Light Feature
– North Carolina Public Radio WUNC – Black Farmers – Naomi Prioleau, Dave DeWitt
– South Carolina Public Radio – USC Library Acquires Major Comic Book Collection – Tut Underwood

Long-Form Interview

– Blue Ridge Public Radio – Superintendent Leads “Hikes for Healing” in GSMNP
– North Carolina Public Radio WUNC – Sex Worker Protection in the Wake of Atlanta Shootings – Anita Rao, Kaia Findlay, Amanda Magnus, Jenni Lawson, Lindsay Foster-Thomas
– WCHL/97.9 The Hill – Jan. 13, 2021: Misinformation, the Media & You

Outstanding News Operation
– South Carolina Public Radio
– WHQR – Ben Schachtman, Rachel Keith, Kelly Kenoyer, Hannah Breisinger, Ken Campbell

Podcast (Long)
– North Carolina Public Radio WUNC – Not Your Guinea Pig – Leoneda Inge, Rebecca Martinez, Kaia Findlay
– South Carolina Public Radio – COVID-19 from the Frontlines – A Relentless Assault – Gavin Jackson, A.T. Shire, Sean Birch, Aimee Crouch

Podcast (Short)
– North Carolina Public Radio WUNC – Anti-Riot Law – Rusty Jacobs, Dave DeWitt
– North Carolina Public Radio WUNC – Fewer Cells, More Solutions – Charlie Shelton-Ormond, Dave DeWitt

Political/Election
– Blue Ridge Public Radio – Split Ticket Voters in North Carolina
– South Carolina Public Radio – Graham-Harrison Senate Race Is Expensive – Russ McKinney

Radio News Block
– North Carolina Public Radio WUNC – 8:43 a.m. Newscast Aug. 7, 2020 – Will Michaels, Celeste Gracia
– WCHL/97.9 The Hill – April 6, 6 a.m. News: Introducing Hubert Davis – Aaron Keck, Brighton McConnell, Elle Kehres

Series
– North Carolina Public Radio WUNC – North Carolina Military Voices – Elizabeth Friend, Adam Hochberg
– North Carolina Public Radio WUNC – The Lives Lost

Social Reform
– North Carolina Public Radio WUNC – Alamance Protesters – Naomi Prioleau, Jason deBruyn, Dave DeWitt
– North Carolina Public Radio WUNC – USS Doris Miller – Jay Price, Adam Hochberg

Special Report
– WHQR – Can WAVE Transit Outrun Its Past & Turn Things Around – Kelly Kenoyer
– WHQR – North Carolina’s Coastal Estuaries Are Becoming “Ghost Forests” – Hannah Breisinger

Sports
– Blue Ridge Public Radio – Going Deep: MiLB Is Back
– WPTF – Big Coaching Changes – Jeff Hamlin

Individual

Radio Reporter of the Year (TV I)
– South Carolina Public Radio – Victoria Hansen
– WUNC NC Public Radio – Leoneda Inge

TV News Anchor of the Year (TV I)
– WIS-TV – Alicia Barnes
– WIS-TV – Judi Gatson

TV News Anchor of the Year (TV II)
– WCBD – Carolyn Murray
– WECT – Jon Evans

TV News Anchor Team of the Year (TV I)
– WIS-TV – Alicia Barnes & Greg Adaline
– WIS-TV – Sam Bleiweis & Greg Adaline

TV News Anchor Team of the Year (TV II)
– WCSC – Aisha Tyler & Michael Hidden
– WMBF – WMBF News Today Anchor Team – Loren Korn, Derrion Henderson, Andrew Dockery

TV News Investigative Reporter of the Year (TV I)

– WBTV – David Hodges

– WIS-TV – Chris Joseph

TV News Investigative Reporter of the Year (TV II)

– WCBD – Sofia deSaussure

– WCSC – Carter Coyle

TV News Multimedia Journalist of the Year (TV I)

– Spectrum News 1 North Carolina – Kari Beal

– Spectrum News 1 North Carolina – Vanessa Leon

TV News Multimedia Journalist of the Year (TV II)
– WCSC – Rob Way
– WITN – Liam Collins

TV News Photographer of the Year (TV I)
– WNCN CBS 17 – Michael Winn
– WYFF 4 – Chip Baysden

TV News Photographer of the Year (TV II)
– WCIV – Jason Tighe
– WMBF – George Hansen

TV News Producer of the Year (TV I)
– WBTV – Jack VanderToll
– WRAL-TV – McKenzie Bennett

TV News Producer of the Year (TV II)
– WCBD – Kristina Lobo
– WMBF – Emily Akiyama

TV News Reporter of the Year (TV I)
– ABC11 WTVD – Jonah Kaplan
– WBTV – Chandler Morgan

TV News Reporter of the Year (TV II)
– WCIV – Caroline Balchunas
– WMBF – Zach Wilcox

TV Special Projects Producer (TV I)
– WRAL-TV – Jeremy Spearman

TV Special Projects Producer (TV II)
– WCBD – David Dickson
– WCBD – Morgan Lowers

TV Sportscaster of the Year (TV I)
– WACH FOX – Mike Uva
– WNCN CBS 17 – Alyssa Rae

TV Sportscaster of the Year (TV II)
– WBTW News 13 – Candace Martino
– WNCT – Brian Bailey

TV Weathercaster of the Year (TV I)
– Spectrum News 1 North Carolina – Lee Ringer

– WYFF – Chris Justus

TV Weathercaster of the Year (TV II)
– WCSC – Joey Sovine
– WNCT – Jerry Jackson

Student

Radio

Best Student Feature Reporting
– University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Rare Bird Sightings Increase in North Carolina – Ben Rappaport
– University of South Carolina – A Life’s Purpose – Nathanael Lemmens, Flynn Snyder

Best Student Multimedia Report
– North Carolina Central University – Visionless – Kristin Bowman

Best Student News Brief
No Finalists

Best Student News Reporting
– University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Eating Disorder Relapses During the Pandemic – Charlotte Ix
– WUNC Youth Reporting Institute – UNC Students Reflect on Start of Chaotic Fall Semester – Erin Batten-Hicks

Best Student Sports Story
– University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Hubert Davis Promises to Lean on Tar Heel Traditions – Daniel Myrick

Best Student Sportscast
– University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Roy Williams Retires as UNC Men’s Basketball Coach – Ben Rappaport, Zach Engler, Ava Pukatch, Aurora Charlow

Ken White Best Student Newscast
– Clemson University – Eating Disorders & College – The Perfect Storm – Summer Robinson

TV

Best Student Feature Reporting
– Elon University – Healing Power of Horses – Maeve Ashbrook
– University of South Carolina – Beneath Lake Murray – Ward Jolles

Best Student Multimedia Report
– University of South Carolina – Tag! Meet South Carolina’s Monarch Butterfly Chaser – Rachel Strieber
– University of South Carolina – UofSC Law Professor Explains New Virtual Work Force – Rachel Strieber

Best Student News Brief
– North Carolina Central University – Central News (April 9, 2021)

Best Student News Reporting
– University of South Carolina – Columbia Mask Ordinance – Ward Jolles
– University of South Carolina – Five Points Takes Hit – Ward Jolles

Best Student Photography
– University of South Carolina – Barcades – Ward Jolles
– University of South Carolina – Geocaching – Ward Jolles

Best Student Sports Story
– University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Women’s Hockey Exploding in N.C. – Edward Trentzsch
– University of South Carolina – Soccer Recruiting During COVID-19 – Forrest Tucker

Best Student Sportscast
– University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Thank You, Coach Williams – Robert “Chip” Sweeney III, Edward Trentzsch, Nick Perlin, Erin Jenkins
– University of South Carolina – Carolina News: Sportscast (March 29, 2021) – Jack Heeke

Best Student TV News Producing
– Elon University – ELN Morning (April 8, 2021)
– University of South Carolina – Carolina News: April 6, 2021 Newscast – Spencer Buckler

Best Student TV Weathercast
– Elon University – The Weather Update with Baylor Rodman – Baylor Rodman, Emery Eisner
– University of South Carolina – Carolina News: Weathercast (March 25, 2021) – Summer Rogers

Ken White Best Student Newscast
– Elon University – Elon Local News: Nov. 2, 2020
– University of South Carolina – Carolina News: March 23, 2021 Newscast

D. Haney Howell Student Journalist of the Year
– University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Erin Jenkins
– University of South Carolina – Spencer Buckler